S+aintiTj  n. 


H 


INDIVIDUAL  DUTY 

\ 


RESPECTING  THE 


CONVERSION  OF  THE  WORLD. 


labibibual  P«tij  respecting  t b e Conbcrsion  of  the  331  o r l b . 


/ 

A DISCOURSE 


PREACHED  BEFORE,  AND  BY  APPOINTMENT  OF,  THE 


GENERAL  ASSEMBLY  OF  THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH, 


IN  ROCHESTER,  NEW  YORK,  .MAY  22»,  I8G0, 


ON  BEHALF  OF  THE 


BOARD  OF  FOREIGN  MISSIONS. 


BY  R.  L.  STANTON,  D.  D, 

PASTOR  OF  THE  FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH,  CHILLICOTIIE,  OHIO. 


TSuilisijcti  at  tfje  Request  of  tfje  Boarti. 


NEW  YORK: 

MISSION  HOUSE,  23  CENTRE  STREET, 


EDWARD  0.  JENKINS, 
Printer  and  Stereotyper, 
No.  26  Fbankfobt  Street. 


SERMON. 


11  Lord,  what  wilt  Thou  have  me  to  do  ? ”~-Acts  9 : 6. 


It  has  become  an  established  custom,  dating  back  several  years,  to 
have  a discourse  preached,  annually,  on  behalf  of  each  of  the  Boards  of 
our  church,  during  the  sessions  of  the  General  Assembly.  By  the 
appointment  of  the  last  General  Assembly,  I appear  before  you,  this 
evening,  on  behalf  of  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions. 

To  the  church  at  large  is  committed,  by  its  Divine  Head,  the  duty 
of  evangelizing  the  world.  It  is  generally  conceded,  that  the  Saviour’s 
last  command:  “Go  ye  into  all  the  world,  and  preach  the  gospel  to 
every  creature” — though  spoken,  originally,  to  “ the  eleven,”  was  in- 
tended for  the  whole  body  of  his  followers,  in  that  and  in  each  succeed- 
ing generation.  As  one  among  the  many  families  of  the  church  uni- 
versal, we,  as  a denomination,  so  regard  it. 

There  are  different  and  somewhat  conflicting  theories  entertained  by 
individuals  in  our  own  and  in  other  denominations,  respecting  the  ulti- 
mate results  which  shall  attend  the  publication  of  the  gospel  to  the 
nations ; whether  the  entire  world,  in  any  given  generation,  shall  ever 
be  converted  to  Christ ; whether,  indeed,  this  was  the  Saviour’s  design ; 
and,  if  so,  whether  it  is  to  be  accomplished  by  the  present  system  of 
ordinary  means,  or  whether  He  who  is  King  in  Zion  is  to  inaugurate 
some  extraordinary  measures — some  new  dispensation — under  his  per- 
sonal superintendence,  or  otherwise,  by  which  to  compass  the  grand  de- 
sign of  his  purposes,  whatever  it  may  be.  But  with  these  theories,  or 
any  others  of  a kindred  nature,  entertained  upon  this  general  subject, 
we,  at  present,  have  nothing  to  do.  It  is  sufficient  to  know,  and  to 
assume,  on  this  occasion,  and  for  my  present  purpose,  that,  as  a denom- 
ination, in  our  organic  action,  whether  through  our  General  Assemblies, 
our  Boards,  or  other  official  agencies,  we  by  common  consent  regard  it 


4 


INDIVIDUAL  DUTY  RESPECTING 


as  the  grand  mission  of  the  church  militant  to  “preach  the  gospel  to 
every  creature.”  And  it  is  perhaps  matter  for  devout  thanksgiving, 
that,  whatever  may  be  the  views  of  individuals  touching  these  questions 
— in  a church  which  grants  full  liberty  of  opinion  upon  them — the 
church,  as  such,  and  those  who  are  officially  acting  for  her  in  this  work, 
have  stood  aloof  from  these  opinions,  and  are  devoted  to  labors  for  a 
practical  obedience  to  Christ’s  command,  in  giving  the  gospel  to  all 
classes  and  people,  at  home  and  abroad. 

Our  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  is  one  of  the  several  organizations 
through  which  our  church  is  operating  in  the  discharge  of  this  compre- 
hensive duty.  It  is  not  the  church,  nor  a part  of  the  church ; neither  is 
it  an  organic  power,  either  within  or  without  the  church,  coordinate, 
subordinate,  or  superior.  It  is  but  the  agent  of  the  church,  through 
which  the  whole  body,  one  and  indivisible,  is  acting  in  the  supervision 
of  one  department  of  the  business  essential  to  accomplish  the  church’s 
great  mission  on  earth,  and  without  which  the  body  at  large  could  not 
act  in  unity. 

Its  particular  sphere  of  operation  is  the  heathen  world.  It  receives 
and  disburses  the  funds  of  the  church ; it  accepts  her  ministers  and 
other  qualified  helpers,  and  designates  their  field  of  labor ; it  erects  the 
house  of  God  for  worship,  and  opens  the  school  for  the  young ; it  trans- 
lates, publishes,  and  circulates  the  Scriptures ; it  is  the  medium  of  com- 
munication between  the  church  and  her  sons  and  daughters,  in  their 
arduous  and  self-denying  labors  ; and,  in  general,  it  has  committed  to  its 
care  all  that  is  deemed  essential  to  the  efficient  management  of  the  de- 
tails of  that  most  difficult  of  all  the  church’s  enterprises,  the  evangeliza- 
tion of  the  heathen.  In  all  this,  however,  we  recognize  the  action  of 
the  church  only. 

And  so  of  all  the  Boards  of  the  Church  ; so  of  her  Theological  Sem- 
inaries ; so  of  every  organization  created  by  her  for  the  common  end : 
they  arc  but  her  essential  agencies,  through  which  she  is  doing  her  own 
work,  in  obedience  to  her  Master’s  will.  Through  them  all,  each  in  its 
allotted  sphere,  we  behold  the  church  alone  acting  in  harmony  and  in 
unity. 

The  machinery  which  the  church  has  thus  set  in  motion,  in  these 
several  departments,  may  be  deemed  all-sufficient  for  its  specific  purpose, 
and,  as  a whole,  may  be  regarded  as  complete.  Some  parts  of  it  are 
the  result  of  the  wisdom  of  later  years;  and  as  the  generations  roll  on, 
other  parts  may  be  added,  or  its  present  organizations  modified,  or  some 
of  them  dispensed  with.  But  all,  probably,  that  is  deemed  essential 


TUE  CONVERSION  OF  TIIE  WORLD. 


5 


at  present,  lias  been  put  into  operation.  As  a church,  we  are  fully- 
equipped  for  our  work.* 

But  with  all  these  efficient  agencies,  with  our  church,  in  its  national 
aspect,  extending  her  Presbyteries  and  Synods  into  every  State  and 
Territory  of  our  Union,  and  commanding  the  respect  of  the  world; 
with  her  twenty-five  hundred  ministers,  her  thirty-five  hundred  pulpits, 
her  three  hundred  licentiates,  and  large  army  of  colporteurs,  preaching 
and  circulating  the  word  of  life ; with  her  six  theological  seminaries,  and 
her  five  hundred  candidates ; with  her  three  hundred  foreign  mission- 
aries and  their  assistants,  occupying  stations  in  so  many  countries  of  the 
heathen  world,  among  our  Indian  tribes,  and  even  in  the  heart  of 
Europe : with  all  these  varied  appliances,  at  home  and  abroad,  directed 
by  our  highest  wisdom,  and  pushed  forward  by  our  mightiest  energies, 
we  yet  recognize  all  and  every  one  as  utterly  vain,  as  hopelessly  imbecile, 
and  nothing  worth,  without  a baptism  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 

In  this  particular,  as  a church,  we  assume  nothing  but  what  we  grant 
to  others;  but  we  do  especially  make  it  a prominent  element  of  our 
teachings,  in  the  pulpit  and  by  the  way,  in  our  seminaries  and  through 
the  press,  that,  in  all  our  labors  for  the  world’s  salvation,  in  order  to  the 
least  success,  it  is  not  by  might,  nor  by  power,  but  by  the  Spirit  of  the 
Lord  of  Hosts ! 

We  also  recognize  it  as  a cardinal  principle  of  duty  in  the  economy  of 
the  gospel,  that,  in  order  to  the  descent  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in  power  to 
bless,  prayer  must  be  offered  continually.  We  “pray  the  Lord  of  the  har- 
vest to  send  forth  laborers  into  his  harvest,”  and  to  make  the  gospel 
they  preach  “the  power  of  God  unto  salvation.”  Our  people  are  fully 
instructed  in  this,  and  there  is,  probably,  not  a man  or  woman  in  the 
church,  who  prays  at  all,  who  does  not  urge  these  and  similar  petitions — 
who  does  not  esteem  it  a duty  to  pray,  without  ceasing,  “ Thy  kingdom 
come !” 

In  another  matter  of  obvious  duty,  most  essential  in  giving  the  gos- 
pel to  the  world,  we  are  coming  to  learn  and  discharge  our  obligations 
better  than  we  have  been  accustomed  to  do.  Alms-giving,  though  not 
recognized  by  some  as  technically  an  act  of  worship,  is  admitted  by  all 
to  be  an  indispensable  Christian  duty.  To  aid  in  supporting  the  gospel 
where  we  statedly  worship ; to  contribute  to  send  it  to  the  heathen,  and 

° This  entire  discourse  was  written  before  the  meeting  of  the  Assembly.  Some  of  the 
preceding  paragraphs  were  omitted  in  its  delivery,  owing  to  the  discussion  then  pending 
in  the  Assembly  respecting  the  reorganization  of  the  Boards.  It  is  not  deemed  essential, 
however,  that  they  should  be  omitted  in  the  publication. 


6 


INDIVIDUAL  DUTY  RESPECTING 


to  the  destitute  at  home ; to  give  of  our  substance  to  sustain  all  the 
institutions  and  agencies  of  the  church  for  filling  the  whole  earth  with 
the  knowledge  of  salvation  ; to  do  this  regularly,  habitually,  and  from 
principle,  in  measure  according  to  our  ability  as  God  has  blessed  us,  and 
to  do  it  voluntarily,  through  the  constituted  authorities  of  the  church, 
without  any  extraneous  agencies,  is  now  generally  regarded  as  a mani- 
fest duty — as  clearly  so  as  to  pray,  or  to  lead  a holy  life.  And,  although 
as  a church,  with  our  numbers,  our  wealth,  and  our  high  social  and 
ecclesiastical  position,  we  fall  far  below  the  demands  of  the  gospel — 
when  we  consider  the  millions  on  millions  who  are  perishing  for  the 
bread  of  life,  and  who  might  be  reached  immediately,  if  the  alms  of  the 
church  were  equal  to  her  easy  ability — yet  it  is  especially  gratifying 
to  see  her  contributions  to  every  cause  steadily  increasing,  and  to  see 
some  of  her  most  important  institutions,  which  have  struggled  with 
poverty  for  a whole  generation,  and  some  of  later  origin,  becoming  fully 
endowed  and  liberally  equipped  for  their  work.  These  things  we 
regard,  not  as  proof  that  we  have  more  benevolence  than  our  fathers, 
but  as  the  result  of  more  faithful  instruction,  by  the  pulpit  and  the  press, 
elucidating  more  clearly  to  the  minds  of  the  people  that  this  is  an 
essential  outgrowth  of  a genuine  Christian  life. 

What  lack  we  yet?  we  may  inquire ; but  with  a more  devout  and 
humble  spirit  than  that  which  prompted  a similar  inquiry  of  our  Saviour. 
Is  there  anything  more  which  is  especially  necessary  for  us  to  do,  in  order 
that  our  power  as  a church  may  be  more  felt  in  our  efforts  to  give  the 
gospel  to  all  men  ? 

We  recognize,  in  the  grand  mission  of  the  church  to  give  the  gospel 
to  the  world,  our  prime  duty.  Our  equipments  for  the  work  are  ample  ; 
we  are  carrying  forward  all  needed  organic  agencies;  we  are  giving  our 
money;  we  believe  in  the  essential  power  of  the  Spirit  of  God  to  bring 
forth  any  fruit ; and  for  his  blessing,  prayer  is  universally  offered.  On 
all  these  points  our  people  are  well  instructed;  these  duties  are  un- 
questioned, and  to  some  good  degree  are  exemplified.  What  more  is 
demanded  of  us?  What  lack  we  yet? 

Wc  lack  many  things ; we  come  short  in  all.  But  there  is  one  radical 
Christian  duty,  in  reference  to  bringing  the  multitudes  to  Christ,  both 
at  home  and  abroad,  touching  the  discharge  of  which  the  great  mass 
that  compose  the  church  are  sadly  wanting,  as  I read  the  Scriptures  and 
observe  the  common  exhibitions  of  the  Christian  life.  And  what  is  true 
of  our  own  church  is  true  of  all  others.  It  is  to  the  statement,  the 
proof,  and  the  illustration  of  this  duty,  that  I ask  your  attention  ; a duty 


TIIE  CONVERSION  OF  THE  WORLD. 


7 


which  seems  to  be  enjoined  as  essential  to  the  perfection  of  that  system 
of  subordinate  means  ordained  in  wisdom  for  bringing  the  gospel 
directly  to  bear,  individually,  upon  all  men ; a duty  without  the  dis- 
charge of  which  all  other  measures  for  this  specific  end  will  be  feeble; 
and  a duty  which,  were  it  fully  and  judiciously  met  by  the  whole  body 
of  Christ’s  people,  would  result  in  speedily  changing  the  spiritual  con- 
dition of  the  church  and  of  the  world. 

It  is  this:  The  obligation  imposed  by  the  Saviour  upon  all  the 

MEMBERS  OF  HIS  CHURCH,  WITHOUT  EXCEPTION,  TO  BE  ACTIVE  LABOR- 
ERS in  his  vineyard  ; that  is  to  say,  to  make  such  a consecration  of 
themselves  to  Christ,  as  shall  lead  to  direct,  personal,  continuous  exer- 
tions, in  some  specific  work  or  works,  each  in  the  sphere  allotted  by 
Providence,  and  according  to  the  ability  which  God  giveth,  in  edifying 
the  body  of  Christ,  and  tending  to  bring  sinners  to  repentance. 

I am  quite  well  aware,  that  in  the  statement  of  such  a proposition  for 
discussion  in  such  a presence  as  the  General  Assembly,  I may  encounter, 
iu  some  minds,  at  least,  a state  of  feeling  not  the  most  favorable  for  its 
candid  examination.  By  some  it  may  be  regarded  as  a duty  of  second- 
ary or  trivial  importance ; by  some  as  demanding  no  special  attention 
at  the  present  time ; b}*  others,  as  calculated  to  foster  a spirit,  of  which 
they  are  apprehensive  the  present  day  already  too  much  partakes,  tend- 
ing to  subvert  the  authority  of  the  rulers  of  Christ’s  kingdom,  by  assign- 
ing to  the  lay  element,  to  the  people  at  large,  business  with  which  they 
have  no  concern;  and  by  others  still,  if  we  may  judge  from  the  habits 
and  life  of  the  great  majority  in  any  particular  church,  as  being  only 
the  duty  of  the  officers  of  the  church,  or  perhaps  of  some  few  others  in 
addition,  but  as  being,  in  respect  to  themselves  at  least,  no  duty  at  all,  as 
involving  no  obligation  whatever,  binding  upon  their  consciences,  and 
enforced  by  the  gospel.  But  this  very  chaos  of  opinion  only  reveals  the 
more  clearly  that  the  subject  needs  examination. 

The  latent  scepticism  which  I have  intimated  to  exist  extensively  in 
reference  to  this  obligation,  may  be  attributed,  in  great  part,  to  the  in- 
frequency with  which  it  has  been  urged  upon  the  attention  of  the  people 
from  the  pulpit,  as  compared  with  other  branches  of  Christian  duty.  I 
have  rarely  heard  it  made  the  subject  for  full  discussion  in  a sermon,  or 
touched  upon  at  all,  except  incidentalfy.  Nor  is  it  easy  to  find,  with 
few  exceptions,  among  many  volumes  of  published  sermons  I have 
examined,  anything  more  than  casual  allusions  to  it ; and  even  then  it 
is  commonly  presented  as  a privilege  rather  than  a duty  ; while,  in  the 
teachings  of  Christ  and  his  apostles,  it  is  more  largely  dwelt  upon, 


8 


INDIVIDUAL  DUTY  RESPECTING 


illustrated  and  enforced,  tlian  almost  any  other  topic  of  Christian 
duty. 

The  service  involved  in  the  proposition  I have  laid  down,  is  required 
for  the  double  purpose  of  developing  and  strengthening  the  Christian 
graces  of  the  individual  concerned,  and  of  bringing  others  to  the  saving 
knowledge  of  the  truth  ; and  for  both  these  ends  it  is  as  clearly  enjoined 
as  any  other  obligation  binding  the  indi  vidual,  or  the  church  as  a whole. 
It  is,  indeed,  among  the  plainest,  the  fullest,  the  most  frequently  reiterat- 
ed and  amply  illustrated  teachings  of  the  whole  word  of  God.  Its  true 
spirit,  as  it  wells  up  from  the  depths  of  the  Christian  heart,  is  poured 
out  in  the  prayer  of  our  text,  as  it  comes  forth  upon  the  lips  of  the 
subdued  persecutor  of  Christ,  “ Lord,  what  wilt  Thou  have  me  to 
do?” 

Let  us,  then,  examine  this  proposition  in  the  light  of  the  Scriptures — 
as  to  the  reality  of  the  duty  involved  in  it ; the  nature  of  the  service  re- 
quired ; the  abuses  against  which  it  should  be  guarded ; and  the  results 
likely  to  flow  from  its  proper  discharge  by  the  whole  body  of  Christ,  in 
their  bearing  upon  the  conversion  of  the  world. 

As  to  the  text,  but  little  need  be  said.  It  no  doubt  indicates  the  time 
of  Saul’s  conversion ; and  this  prayer  thus  becomes  the  natural  out- 
gushing  of  his  new-born  soul.  But  it  is  more  than  this.  It  contains  a 
suggestive  truth.  It  is  a representative  experience.  It  embodies  a les- 
son for  our  instruction ; a sentiment  which  should  ever  be  found  in 
every  Christian  heart,  and  the  sincerity  of  which  should  be  evinced  in 
every  Christian  life.  This  inquiry  of  Saul  covers  the  whole  field  of 
Christian  duty,  and  shows  a readiness  for  any  service.  It  was  the  first 
aspiration  of  his  Christian  experience.  And  we  can  perhaps  have  no 
surer  single  item  of  evidence  that  his  conversion  was  genuine,  than  this 
— that  he  desired  to  go  immediately  to  work  in  the  Lord’s  vineyard,  and 
sought  to  be  directed  in  the  service  by  the  Master  thereof.  If  this 
position  be  tenable,  then  what  better  single  species  of  evidence  can  wc 
show  for  a genuine  Christian  experience,  in  any  case,  and  during  any 
period  of  the  Christian  life,  than  the  desire  expressed  through  fervent 
prayer,  and  by  other  means  of  inquiry,  to  know  what  the  Lord  our 
Saviour  would  have  us  do,  and  the  determination  to  do  his  will  when 
known?  Indeed,  the  entertaining  of  this  inquiry,  sincerely  and  with 
humility,  and  the  purpose,  exemplified  in  action,  to  submit  to  the  will 
of  God,  and  to  do  his  will,  go  largely  toward  making  up  that  which  pre- 
eminently marks  the  soul  as  “ born  of  God,”  in  any  and  in  all  Chris- 
tians. As  the  essence  of  sin  consists  in  ignoring  and  contravening  the 


TIIE  CONVERSION  OF  THE  WORLD. 


9 


will  of  God,  so  the  essence  of  gospel  piety  consists  in  recognizing  the 
elements  and  authority  of  his  will,  and  in  spiritual  obedience  to  it. 

Of  the  many  Christian  duties  which  obedience  to  God’s  will  involves, 
our  attention  at  present  is  directed  to  but  one,  yet  a chief  one,  that 
already  stated  : the  obliyution  imposed  by  the  Saviour  upon  all  the  members 
of  his  church,  without  exception , to  be  active  laborers  in  his  vineyard. 

We  arc  to  inquire, 

I.  As  to  the  REALITY  of  the  duty  involved  in  this  proposition. 

The  proof  for  this  is  found, 

1.  In  the  command  which  our  Lord  gave,  just  before  his  ascension,  in 
the  words,  “ Go  ye  into  all  the  world,  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every 
creature.” 

I have  already  assumed,  as  generally  conceded  by  all  branches  of  the 
church,  that  this  command  was  intended  for,  and  was  announced  to  “the 
eleven  ” as  the  representatives  of,  the  whole  body  of  Christ’s  followers, 
in  that  and  in  each  succeeding  generation.  Whatever,  therefore,  of 
obligation  is  found  in  this  command,  rests  upon  the  church  at  large,  and 
of  necessity  a portion  of  this  obligation  rests  upon  every  member. 
Whatever  is  required  by  it,  in  the  training,  equipping,  sending  out,  and 
maintaining  of  ministers  and  other  laborers  at  home,  and  missionaries  of 
every  grade  abroad ; whatever  is  needed  to  translate  and  publish  the 
Scriptures  in  all  the  dialects  of  the  earth,  and  to  build  churches  and 
schools  and  maintain  them  ; aud  whatever  is  needed  in  order  to  do  any 
and  all  other  things  to  give  efficiency  to  the  gospel,  as  authorized  by  it 
for  the  conversion  of  the  world,  is  binding  upon  each  and  every  member 
of  the  church,  to  the  extent  of  each  one’s  ability.  These  obligations 
follow,  of  necessity,  if  the  command  was  intended  for  the  church  at 
large. 

What,  indeed,  is  the  scriptural  object  of  the  church’s  organization, 
and  of  its  maintenance  before  the  world,  as  a public,  visible  body  ? Is  it 
for  the  sanctification  and  salvation  of  its  members  merely  ? Is  it  not 
that  it  may  make  aggression  upon  the  kingdom  of  Satan  ? Is  not  this 
everywhere  set  forth  as  the  grand  idea  of  the  church’s  duty — and  of  the 
vital  essence  and  genius  of  Christianity — to  endeavor,  by  all  ordained 
means,  to  bless  mankind  and  save  the  world  from  sin  and  misery  ? And 
if  this  is  true  of  the  system  of  religion,  as  such,  and  of  the  church,  as  an 
instrumentality  intended  to  illustrate  it,  does  it  not  follow  that  this  theory 
demands  that  it  should  be  true  of  the  aim,  and  labors,  and  life  of  each 
one  whose  membership  contributes  to  make  up  the  church? 


10 


INDIVIDUAL  DUTY  RESPECTING 


What  is  the  ultimate  end,  indeed,  for  which  any  individual  is  brought 
into  the  church,  and  continued  in  it  (so  far  as  his  earthly  career  is  con- 
cerned) but  this : not  merely  that  he,  as  an  individual,  may  be  sanctified 
and  fitted  for  heaven,  but  that  he  may  render  a life  of  service  to  Christ  ? 
We  shall  see  this  more  clearly  as  we  proceed. 

2.  Many  of  the  similes  used  by  the  Saviour  to  represent  the  church, 
and  his  teachings  connected  therewith,  show  the  obligation  in  question. 

(1.)  The  parable  of  the  “laborers  in  the  vineyard,”  enforces  this  duty. 
“ The  kingdom  of  heaven,”  says  Christ,  “ is  like  unto  a man  that  is  a 
householder,  which  went  out  early  in  the  morning  to  hire  laborers  into 
his  vineyard.”  It  is,  for  my  purpose,  wholly  unimportant  which  of  the 
many  theories  of  interpretation  applied  to  some  of  the  particulars  of  this 
parable  be  taken  as  the  true  one,  or  whether  any  of  them  be  correct. 
All  agree  substantially  in  this,  that  “the  kingdom  of  heaven”  here 
means  the  church,  the  “ laborers”  in  the  vineyard,  represent  Christ’s 
people  at  large,  and  the  “ householder,”  Christ,  as  making  a call  upon 
them  for  service.  Whatsoever,  therefore,  of  duty  is  enjoined  in  this 
parable,  is  binding  upon  all  Christians,  for  Christ  is  speaking  of  his  dis- 
ciples indiscriminately,  and  not  of  any  class  or  order  in  the  church. 
Those  sent  into  the  vineyard,  were  sent  for  the  one  purpose  of  laboring 
in  it ; and  while  some  entered  at  the  sixth  hour,  others  at  the  ninth,  and 
others  at  the  eleventh,  the  duty  of  each  was  to  labor  from  the  time  he 
entered  to  the  end  of  the  day,  which  represents  the  period  of  human  life. 

Two  things,  then,  upon  the  'only  point  now  under  consideration,  are 
here  set  forth : First,  that  all  Christians  are  designated  as  “ laborers”  in 
the  Lord’s  spiritual  vineyard,  and  are  called  into  it  for  the  specific  pur- 
pose of  rendering  an  active  service.  Second,  that  the  term  for  which  they 
arc  called  to  labor,  is  the  whole  time  of  their  probation , after  entering  the 
vineyard. 

(2.)  The  same  general  obligation  is  enforced  in  the  parable  of  the 
“pounds,”  and  also  in  that  of  the  “talents.”  Here,  again,  those  whom 
Christ  addressed,  represent,  not  any  order  in  the  church,  but  the  whole 
body  of  his  followers.  Christ  has  bestowed  upon  them  all  they  possess 
— their  powers  of  body  and  mind,  their  time,  influence,  and  property — 
all  of  which  are  included  under  the  designation  of  “the  pounds,”  and 
“ the  talents and  what  he  demands  is  this : that  they  shall  devote  all 
they  arc  and  have  to  his  service;  that  all  shall  be  put  to  the  most  pro- 
ductive use,  that  he  may  have  the  avails  of  all  when  he  shall  call  for  a 
reckoning.  Wc  know  what  that  reckoning  is  to  be.  It  is  foreshadowed 
in  the  parable,  lie  who  had  been  faithful  was  commended  and  reward- 


THE  CONVERSION  OF  THE  WORLD. 


11 


eel;  he  who  had  been  careless,  or  who  had  wasted  his  endowment,  as 
well  as  he  who  had  been  careful,  and  laid  up  his  pound  in  a napkin,  and 
had  done  nothing,  was  condemned.  The  obligation  in  each  case  was 
graduated  according  to  the  ability  possessed,  and  the  reward  or  condem- 
nation according  to  the  use  or  abuse  of  that  ability. 

While,  therefore,  the  parable  of  the  “laborers  in  the  vineyard”  en- 
forces the  duty  under  consideration  upon  all  Christians  to  labor //-om.  the 
time  they  enter  the  church  to  the  end  of  life , the  parables  of  “the  pounds” 
and  of  “ the  talents,”  respectively,  are  intended  to  show  to  all  Christians, 
in  addition  to  this,  that  in  this  service  their  whole  energies  and  possessions 
must  be  enlisted. 

In  none  of  these  parables  is  the  duty  under  consideration  directly 
dwelt  upon,  but  in  each  the  duty  is  assumed  to  exist;  while  the  motive, 
in  the  “reward”  promised,  and  the  manner  of  bestowing  it,  are  the 
things  directly  illustrated.* 

3.  Besides  these  similes  of  the  church,  of  which  I have  given  a speci- 
men as  illustrating  Christian  duty,  the  same  general  obligation  is  seen 
in  the  many  direct  injunctions  to  Christians,  found  everywhere  in  the 
New  Testament. 

Paul  directs  Titus  about  preaching,  thus : “ I will  that  thou  affirm 
constantly,  that  they  which  have  believed  in  God,  might  be  careful  to 
maintain  good  works.1’  Christ,  it  is  said,  “ gave  himself  for  us,  that  he 
might  redeem  us  from  all  iniquity,  and  purify  unto  himself  a peculiar 
people,  zealous  of  good  works.”  “ For  we  are  his  workmanship,  created 
in  Christ  Jesus  unto  good  works.”  “ That  ye  might  walk  worthy  of  the 
Lord  unto  all  pleasing,  being  fruitful  in  every  good  ivork.”  “ And  God  is 
able  to  make  all  grace  abound  toward  you,  that  ye,  always  having  all 
sufficiency  in  all  things,  may  abound  to  every  good  ivork.”  “ I will  that 
men  pray  everywhere,  lifting  up  holy  hands  without  wrath  and  doubt- 
ing. In  like  manner,  also,  that  women  adorn  themselves  in  modest  ap- 
parel, with  shamefacedness  and  sobriety ; not  with  braided  hair,  or  gold, 
or  pearls,  or  costly  array ; but,  which  becometh  women  professing  god- 
liness, with  good  ivorks.”  “ Let  not  a widow  be  taken  into  the  number, 
uuder  three-score  years  old,  having  been  the  wife  of  one  man,  well  re- 
ported of  for  good  works.”  Dorcas  was  one  thus  “ well  reported  of,”  for 
it  is  written  that  “ this  woman  was  full  of  good  works  and  almsdeeds 
which  she  did.” 

It  is  upon  these  specific  injunctions,  found  everywhere,  that  such  ex- 


* Vide  “Trench  on  the  Parables.'1 


12 


INDIVIDUAL  DUTY  RESPECTING 


liortations  as  these  are  based : “ Let  us  hold  fast  the  profession  of  our 
faith  without  wavering,  for  he  is  faithful  that  promised  ; and  let  us  con- 
sider one  another  to  provoke  unto  love  and  good  works."  “Having  your 
conversation  honest  among  the  Gentiles,  that,  whereas  they  speak 
against  you  as  evil-doers,  they  may,  by  your  good  works  which  they  shall 
behold,  glorify  God  in  the  day  of  visitation/’  “ Let  your  light  so  shine 
before  men,  that  they  may  see  your  good  vjorJcs,  and  glorify  your  Father 
which  is  in  heaven.”  “ Therefore,  my  beloved  brethren,  be  ye  stead- 
fast, unmovable,  always  abounding  in  the  work  of  the  Lord , forasmuch  as 
ye  know  that  your  labor  is  not  in  vain  in  the  Lord.” 

How,  what  are  we  to  understand  by  this  language,  found  so  frequently 
in  the  scriptures,  and  addressed  to  all  Christians  indiscriminately? 
What  is  meant  by  the  duty  here  enjoined  upon  all — to  be  “ zealous  of 
good  works” — and  the  exhibition  of  which,  James  says,  is  the  proof 
that  faith  is  genuine?  Is  it  merely  a cultivation  of  personal  holiness, 
and  fitting  one’s  own  soul  for  heaven,  with  which  so  many  seem  to  be 
entirely  content?  Or,  is  it  something  beyond  this? — something  directly 
to  be  done  for  the  good  of  others  ? — some  specific,  visible,  tangible,  out- 
ward acts  of  personal  service,  for  the  spiritual  and  temporal  welfare  of 
our  brethren  in  the  church,  and  the  perishing  in  the  world  ? 

To  this  it  must  be  answered,  that  these  passages  enjoin  a service  due 
to  others. 

(1.)  We  infer  this  necessarily  from  the  meaning  of  the  terms.  The 
original  phrase  here  rendered  “ good  work,”  and  “ good  works,”  is 
never,  we  believe,  used  in  the  epistles  to  designate  the  moral  state  of 
the  soul,  or  the  moral  character  of  the  life,  or  our  duties  in  relation 
thereto.  It  is  never  applied  to  man’s  subjective  state,  but  is  always  used 
with  reference  to  something  outward,  which  he  does,  or  acts  upon.  The 
primary  meaning  of  “ work,”  as  here  used,  is  an  action , a performance , a 
deed , an  occupation,  a trade,  a task,  a business,  etc.  This  throws  light 
upon  the  real  meaning  of  the  injunction  that  all  Christians  should  be 
“zealous  of  good  works,”  and  upon  the  design  in  their  regeneration, 
“created  in  Christ  Jesus  unto  good  works.”  It  is  their  occupation,  task, 
trade,  business,  to  be  engaged  in  good  deeds  and  labors  in  the  cause  of 
Christ;  that  for  which  they  were  redeemed,  that  for  which  they  are  pre- 
served in  life,  to  devote  themselves  “a  living  sacrifice”  to  promote  the 
present  welfare  and  eternal  salvation  of  their  fellow-men. 

(2.)  This  is,  moreover,  evidently  the  meaning  of  this  language,  from 
what  is  said  of  the  reward  of  the  righteous  in  the  heavenly  state.  Every 
one  is  to  be  rewarded  “ according  to  his  works ; ” not  as  meritorious,  and 


THE  CONVERSION  OF  THE  WORLD. 


13 


therefore  entitling  one  to  reward,  but  they  will  indicate  the  measure  or 
degree  of  the  reward,  to  be  bestowed  for  Christ’s  sake.  This  prin- 
ciple is  many  times  directly  stated  in  scripture,  and  is  fully  illustrated 
in  our  Saviour’s  parables.  Now,  the  “ works,”  according  to  which  we 
are  to  be  rewarded,  must  be  something  besides  personal  conformity  of 
heart  aud  life  to  Christ.  Each  soul,  on  entering  heaven,  will  be  perfect 
in  holiness.  No  one  can  be  more  than  this.  All,  then,  as  to  personal 
holiness,  will  then  and  there  be  equal,  “ without  spot  or  wrinkle,  or  any 
such  thing.”  Paul  aimed  only  to  present  in  the  great  day,  “ every  man 
perfect  in  Christ  Jesus.”  If,  then,  personal  conformity  to  Christ  be  the 
measure  of  reward,  all  will  be  rewarded  alike.  But  all  are  not  to  be  re- 
warded alike.  This  is  universally  conceded.  The  “ works,”  then, 
“ according  to  ” which  men  are  to  be  rewarded,  must  be  something  dif- 
ferent from  personal  holiness.  They  must  mean  service  directly  rendered 
for  the  good  of  others. 

The  doctrine,  then,  is  this : lie  who  does  the  most  for  the  good  of  his 
fellow-men,  and  especially  for  their  conversion  and  sanctification  and  for 
stimulating  them  to  perform  like  “ good  works,”  shall  receive  the  highest 
reward  in  glory ; and  thus  every  one  finally  saved,  shall  be  rewarded 
just  “ according  to”  the  amount  of  good  he  does  for  the  world’s  conquest 
to  Christ.  This  agrees  precisely  with  the  words  of  the  prophet:  “ They 
that  be  wise  shall  shine  as  the  brightness  of  the  firmament,  and  they 
that  turn  many  to  righteousness  as  the  stars  forever  and  ever.” 

4.  The  service  upon  which  we  are  insisting  is  further  illustrated  by 
the  many  incidental  references  to  Christian  duty  with  which  the  scriptures 
abound. 

To  give  a bare  specimen : “ Brethren,”  says  James,  addressing  all  be- 
lievers, “ if  any  of  you  do  err  from  the  truth,  and  one  convert  him,  [that 
is,  reclaim  him  from  errors  of  either  doctrine  or  practice,  into  which  he 
may  have  fallen,]  let  him  know  that  he  which  converteth  [reclaimeth]  the 
sinner  from  the  error  of  his  way.  shall  save  a soul  from  death,  and  shall 
hide  a multitude  of  sins.”  The  duty  is  here  assumed  to  be  binding; 
only  the  motive  is  presented  for  its  performance.  “But  ye,  brethren,” 
says  Paul,  “ be  not  weary  in  well-doing.  And  if  any  man  obey  not  our 
word  by  this  epistle,  note  that  man,  and  have  no  company  with  him, 
that  he  may  be  ashamed.  Yet,  count  him  not  as  an  enemy,  but  admon- 
ish him  as  a brother.” 

Can  anything  more  clearly  teach  the  duty  of  Christians  toward  their 
brethren  in  the  church  ? Similar  scriptures  might  be  indefinitely  mul- 
tiplied, showing  the  duties  which  they  owe  one  to  another.  Nor  is  there 


14 


INDIVIDUAL  DUTY  RESPECTING 


anything  here  of  a local  bearing.  These  are  duties  for  all  times  and 
places.  They  are  not  enjoined  upon  officers  of  the  church  in  distinction 
from  others,  as  the  connection  plainly  shows,  but  upon  every  member. 

Observe,  also,  what  arises  out  of  the  very  nature  of  Christian  fellow- 
ship. The  church  is  a “family,”  a brotherhood;  its  members  are 
“children”  of  a common  Father,  through  a common  Saviour,  “sons 
and  daughters  of  the  Lord  Almighty,”  by  virtue  of  union  with  Christ ; 
“ of  whom  the  whole  family  in  heaven  and  earth  is  named.”  All  this 
would  fairly  imply  the  duty  of  watching  over  the  interests,  and  of  being 
very  tender  of  the  reputation,  of  one  another  in  the  church  of  God. 
Do  we  not  all  feel  the  most  lively  interest  in  every  member  of  our 
households  ? — -in  the  life,  health,  education,  habits,  morals,  reputation, 
and  character  of  our  own  families  ? This  is  natural  and  universal.  He 
who  would  be  indifferent  to,  or  reckless  of,  any  of  these  interests  would  be 
deemed  a monster.  And  yet,  this  is  the  simile  for  the  church  of  Christ. 
From  this  very  consideration,  therefore,  arise  the  strongest  obligations 
among  Christians,  touching  everything  which  can  affect  the  spiritual 
brotherhood. 

Many  of  these  incidental  references  to  Christian  duty,  with  which  the 
scriptures  are  filled,  show  that  it  is  as  clearly  incumbent  on  the  people 
of  God  to  do  good  to  men  of  the  world,  as  to  members  of  the  church. 
“ As  we  have  therefore  opportunity,  let  us  do  good  unto  all  men,  espe- 
cially unto  them  who  are  of  the  household  of  faith.”  “ See  that  none 
render  evil  for  evil  unto  any  man  ; but  ever  follow  that  which  is  good, 
both  among  yourselves,  and  to  all  men.”  “And  the  Lord  make  you  to 
increase  and  abound  in  love  one  toward  another,  and  toward  all  men, 
even  as  we  do  toward  you.”  Indeed,  no  attentive  reader  of  the  scrip- 
tures can  have  failed  to  discover,  that  they  abound  in  incidental  allusions 
showing  it  to  be  the  duty  of  all  Christians,  in  all  times  and  places,  to 
manifest  a lively  interest  in  the  spiritual  welfare  of  all  classes  of  men,  to 
pray  and  labor  for  their  salvation. 

5.  Another  proof  of  this  general  obligation,  as  announced  in  the  prop- 
osition under  consideration,  is  found  in  the  example  of  Christ. 

This,  assuredly,  is  for  all  Christians,  for  all  men.  Peter  says  Christ 
hath  left  us  “ an  example  that  we  should  follow  his  steps.”  He  is 
speaking  of  believers  generally. 

What,  then,  was  Christ’s  example?  What  was  it  touching  the  point 
under  consideration  ? Was  he  not  wholly  given  to  the  work  of  doing 
spiritual  good  to  mankind? — even  subordinating  all  he  did  for  man’s 
temporal  good  to  the  higher  claims  of  the  spiritual  ? — embracing  every 


THE  CONVERSION  OF  THE  WORLD. 


15 


opportunity,  in  private,  in  the  family,  in  the  street,  in  the  market-place, 
on  shipboard,  on  the  mountain-side,  in  the  hamlet,  and  the  city,  just  as 
truly  as  in  the  synagogue  and  in  the  temple?  In  the  zeal  he  manifested 
for  the  spiritual  good  of  the  church,  not  only,  but  of  sinners  of  every 
grade,  the  abandoned  and  the  outcast,  (and  not  in  his  public  ministry,) 
but  everywhere  and  at  all  times,  in  private,  is  he  not  an  example  for 
every  Christian  ? 

It  is  the  universally  accepted  doctrine  of  the  church,  in  all  its  branches, 
that  the  example  of  Christ  is  for  all  his  people,  indeed  for  all  mankind. 
But  his  example  in  what  ? Have  we  any  warrant  in  scripture  for  say- 
ing that  he  is  an  example  in  holiness  for  all  his  people,  and  yet  not  an 
example  in  zeal  and  labors  for  men's  salvation , except  to  the  ministry? — 
that,  in  heart,  and  in  simple,  personal  conformity  to  God’s  commands, 
he  is  an  example,  and  yet  that  he  is  not  an  example  the  moment  the 
power  of  grace  in  the  Christian  soul  is  to  be  brought  out  and  made  to 
bear  upon  a wicked  world  for  its  enlightenment,  reproof,  conviction,  and 
salvation? — that,  in  letting  our  “light  shine  before  men,”  that  they  may 
see  our  "good  works,”  and  be  led  thereby  to  glorify  our  Father  in 
heaven,  we  are  not  bound  to  imitate  him  who  is  “the  light  of  the 
world  ? ” What  warrant  have  we  in  scripture  for  this  distinction  ? 
What  right  have  we  to  deny  the  full  obligation  of  Christ’s  example  in 
its  most  effective  form  for  good  ? What  right  have  we  to  cut  that  ex- 
ample in  twain,  and  while  revering  one  part  of  it  trample  the  other  in 
the  dust  ? 

If,  then,  Christ’s  example  in  this  respect  is  for  all  Christians,  it  beau- 
tifully illustrates  the  meaning  of  the  specific  precepts  I have  cited,  and 
powerfully  enforces  their  obligation. 

6.  Another  thing  which  at  least  fully  confirms  all  the  other  items  of 
proof  upon  this  general  obligation,  is  the  practice  of  the  primitive  Chris- 
tians. 

In  reading  the  earliest  history  of  the  church,  as  found  in  the  Acts  of 
the  Apostles,  and  incidentally  alluded  to  in  the  epistles,  nothing  is  more 
plain  upon  the  whole  surface  of  that  history  than  this : that  all  Christ’s 
followers,  men  and  women  alike,  were  actively  engaged  in  specific  labors 
for  spreading  the  gospel,  making  converts  from  the  world,  and  building 
up  the  church. 

Going  back  to  the  day  of  Pentecost,  we  find  the  whole  body  of  the 
disciples  assembled.  “ They  were  all  of  one  accord  in  one  place,”  wait- 
ing at  Jerusalem  as  they  had  been  bidden  to  do,  for  the  fulfilment  of 
the  promise  of  the  outpouring  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  After  Peter’s  ser 


16 


INDIVIDUAL  DUTY  RESPECTING 


mon,  when  three  thousand  were  added  to  the  church,  having  received 
the  baptism  of  the  Spirit,  they  literally  consecrated  all  to  Christ, — them- 
selves and  their  possessions.  This  fact  is  twice  mentioned,  once  at  the 
close  of  the  second,  and  again  at  the  close  of  the  fourth  chapter. 

The  next  notice  we  have  of  the  action  of  the  church  at  large,  bearing 
upon  the  present  point,  is  what  is  said  of  the  labors  of  the  disciples  as  a 
body  in  directly  preaching  Christ  to  the  perishing  multitudes.  This 
was  immediately  after  a great  persecution,  beginning  with  the  death  of 
Stephen.  It  is  said : “ There  was  a great  persecution  against  the  church 
which  was  at  Jerusalem ; and  they  were  all  scattered  abroad  throughout 
the  regions  of  Judea  and  Samaria,  except  the  apostles.''1  Then,  after 
speaking  of  Stephen’s  burial  and  Saul’s  havoc,  it  is  said  : “ Therefore, 
[in  consequence  of  this  persecution  and  dispersion]  they  that  were  scat- 
tered abroad,  [which  were  all  the  church,  except  the  apostles,]  went  every 
where  preaching  the  word." 

Now,  we  do  not  suppose  this  can  mean,  that  the  whole  church  were 
ordained  ministers, — men,  women,  and  all ; but  this,  rather, — that  each 
and  every  disciple,  out  of  a full  heart,  burdened  with  the  love  of  Christ 
and  of  souls,  “ went  everywhere  preaching  the  word,”  in  the  sense  here 
meant,  without  any  ordination ; or,  in  other  words,  told  the  story  of  the 
cross,  and  exhorted  men  to  repentance,  each  in  his  or  her  own  way,  to 
one  or  many,  as  opportunities  were  afforded — -just  as  private  members 
of  the  church  may  now  do,  and  ought  to  do,  without  infringing  any 
proper  ecclesiastical  authority.  This  account  is  found  in  the  eighth 
chapter  of  the  Acts. 

It  was  deemed  worthy  to  note  the  results  of  this  “ preaching  of  the 
word”  by  the  people,  and  we  find  the  account  in  the  eleventh  chapter, 
and  learn  that  these  private  preachers  were  wonderfully  successful.  It 
is  said:  “ Now  they  which  were  scattered  abroad  upon  the  persecution 
that  arose  about  Stephen,  travelled  as  far  as  Phenice,  and  Cyprus,  and 
Antioch,  preaching  the  word  to  none  but  unto  the  Jews  only.  And 
some  of  them  were  men  of  Cyprus  and  Cyrene,  which,  when  they  were 
come  to  Antioch,  spake  unto  the  Grecians,  preaching  the  Lord  Jesus. 
And  the  hand  of  the  Lord  was  with  them  ; and  a great  number  believed 
and  turned  unto  the  Lord."  It  is  said,  immediately  after  this,  that 
“tidings  of  these  things  came  unto  the  cars  of  the  church  which  was  in 
Jerusalem ; ” and  then  “ they  sent  forth  Barnabas,  that  he  should  go 
as  far  as  Antioch,”  to  superintend  the  work  thus  begun.  But  these 
conversions , so  far  as  any  tiling  which  appears  in  the  record  is  concerned, 
took  place  under  the  labors  of  private  Christians. 


THK  CONVERSION  OF  TIIE  WORLD. 


17 


Now,  while  we  do  not  regard  the  mere  example  of  what  occurred  in 
the  early  church,  as  of  itself  necessarily  binding  upon  the  church  now, 
in  the  sense  of  a “ Thus  saith  the  Lord,”  yet  this  case  contains  important 
instruction  for  the  church  at  the  present  day.  It  shows  us  what  the 
early  Christians  deemed  to  be  the  true  spirit  of  the  gospel,  what  it  im- 
pelled them  to  do, — to  go  “everywhere”  laboring  for  Christ  in  the  con- 
version of  souls.  This  lesson  comes  from  those  who  lived  in  the  age  of 
Christ  and  the  apostles.  Their  work  was  approved  and  eminently 
blessed  of  God.  So  may  Christians  now,  if  engaged  in  the  same  labors, 
rely  upon  the  same  approval  and  blessing. 

And  besides  these  more  marked  and  general  labors,  there  are  many 
cases  of  individual  zeal  which  the  scriptures  record  with  approval,  and 
which  we  may  regard  as  an  example  for  all.  John  the  Baptist  pro- 
claimed, “Behold  the  Lamb  of  God!”  Andrew  heard  this,  and  im- 
mediately “ followed  Jesus,”  embracing  him  as  the  Messiah.  lie  then 
at  once  sought  his  own  brother,  Simon,  and  said  to  him,  “ We  have 
found  the  Messiah,  which  is,  being  interpreted,  the  Christ.  And  he 
brought  him  to  Jesus  ” — thus  commencing  the  work  of  bringing  souls  to 
Christ  on  the  very  day  when  he  himself  found  him.  On  the  next  day, 
Jesus  found  Philip,  and  called  him  into  his  service,  saying  to  him, 
“ Follow  me.”  No  sooner  did  Philip  hear  the  call  than  he  obeyed,  and 
no  sooner  did  he  obey  than  he  began  to  call  others  to  Christ.  He  sought 
Nathanael,  and  said  to  him,  “ We  have  found  him  of  whom  Moses  in  the 
law  and  the  prophets  did  write,  Jesus  of  Nazareth,  the  son  of  Joseph.” 
After  a little  parleying,  Nathanael  became  a convert,  and  followed 
Christ.  These  new  converts  were  animated  with  the  same  spirit  as  Saul, 
when,  at  the  moment  of  his  conversion  he  inquired,  “ Lord,  what  wilt 
Thou  have  me  to  do  ? " They  deemed  it  their  prime  duty  immediately 
to  seek  out  the  perishing  and  bring  them  to  the  Saviour. 

And  so  of  the  woman  of  Samaria.  As  soon  as  she  was  convinced 
that  she  had  found  the  Messiah,  she  “ went  her  way  into  the  city,”  and 
proclaimed  her  discovery  to  the  people.  That  simple  announcement 
God  owned  and  blessed,  for  he  made  it  the  means  of  conversion,  in  a di- 
rect train  of  events,  to  a multitude  of  souls  ; for  it  is  written,  “ And 
many  of  the  Samaritans  of  that  city  believed  on  him  for  the  saying  of 
the  woman.”  They  then  invited  him  to  their  city,  “and  he  abode  there 
two  days ; and  many  more  believed  because  of  his  own  word,  and  said, 
Now  we  believe,  not  because  of  thy  saying,  for  we  have  heard  him  our- 
selves, and  know  that  this  is  indeed  the  Christ  the  Saviour  of  the 
world.” 


2 


18 


INDIVIDUAL  DUTY  RESPECTING 


And  is  it  not  written  in  the  whole  history  of  the  church  since  the 
apostolic  age,  that  whenever  and  wherever  Christians  have  thus  devoted 
themselves,  in  the  spirit  of  the  primitive  disciples,  God  has  greatly 
blessed  their  labors  in  the  salvation  of  men  ? There  are  many  biogra- 
phies, familiar  to  not  a few  in  the  church,  showing  that  all  along  in  the 
line  of  her  history,  such  labors  have  been  crowned  with  the  most  signal 
success.  In  the  wonderful  revivals  of  the  last  century,  in  England  and 
Scotland,  and  in  those  of  the  present  century  in  our  own  country — in- 
deed in  every  extensive  revival  of  religion — these  labors  of  private 
Christians  have  been  largely  instrumental  in  the  good  fruits  seen. 

Now,  it  would  seem  that  the  main  proposition  I have  laid  down  is 
fully  sustained  by  the  word  of  God — that  an  obligation  has  been  imposed 
by  the  Saviour  upon  all  the  members  of  his  church , without  exception , to  be 
active  laborers  in  his  vineyard.  I regard  the  evidence  adduced  as  showing 
most  conclusively  that  it  is  the  duty  of  all  Christ’s  people  to  make  this 
consecration  of  themselves  to  his  service. 

And  yet,  is  this  the  type  of  the  piety  of  our  day  ? Is  the  church,  in 
all  its  branches,  and  by  all  its  members,  thus  devoted  ? On  the  con- 
trary, is  it  not  true,  that  by  far  the  larger  portion  of  our  members,  and 
of  professed  Christians  everywhere,  are  not  at  all  engaged  in  such  la- 
bors, or  in  any  labors  whatever,  of  a personal  nature,  for  enlarging  Zion 
and  bringing  the  world  to  Christ  ?— content  with  attending  upon  the  reg- 
ular ordinances  of  the  gospel,  and  to  sit,  Sabbath  after  Sabbath,  and 
year  after  year,  as  mere  recipients  of  God’s  truth  and  grace ; as  vessels 
to  be  filled  by  the  services  of  the  ministry  for  no  other  end  than  that 
they  may  be  filled  ?— content  to  look  after  their  own  salvation,  and  even 
that,  feebly,  we  fear,  with  no  more  concern  about  the  world  at  large  than 
if  it  were  already  saved,  or  irrecoverably  lost? 

Is  not  this,  most  clearly,  the  type  of  our  general  Christianity  ? And 
is  it  not,  just  as  clearly,  the  very  opposite  of  that  set  forth  in  the  scrip- 
tures ? If  we  find,  here  and  there,  a private  Christian  fully  devoted  to 
the  work  of  saving  men,  following  approved  examples  of  ancient  and 
modern  times,  does  it  not  often  excite  observation  from  its  uncommon- 
ness, and  perhaps  occasion  a fear  lest  he  should  go  too  fast  or  too  far, 
while  in  truth  even  he  may  be  but  a feeble  representation  of  what  all,  in 
zeal,  at  least,  should  become  ? 

How  shall  we  account  for  this  almost  universal  exhibition  of  the 
church’s  piety,  on  any  better  ground  than  that  there  is  a wide-spread 
scepticism  as  to  the  reality  of  any  such  obligation  resting  upon  the  mem- 
bership of  the  church  at  large,  and  that  it  is  upon  only  a privileged  few, 


THE  CONVERSION  OF  THE  WORLD. 


19 


with  peculiar  endowments  for  the  work,  that  Christ  has  laid  this  respon- 
sibility? And  how  shall  we  account  for  this,  again,  but  upon  the  sup- 
position that  the  ministry,  generally,  have  not  as  fully  opened  up  this 
duty  to  the  consideration  of  the  people,  as  they  have  most  other  duties? 
That  they  have  not,  I verily  believe ; and  that  there  does  exist  a very 
prevalent  feeling  among  the  people,  that  they  are  not,  one  and  all,  au- 
thoritatively called  to  such  labors,  we  may  all  know  if  we  will.  It  is 
difficult  to  account  for  the  well-nigh  universal  neglect  of  such  duties  on 
any  other  hypothesis  consistent  with  the  church’s  piety. 

This  brings  me  to  speak, 

II.  Of  the  nature  of  the  service  involved  in  this  general  obligation. 

The  inquiry  may  arise  in  some  minds, — Admitting  that  those  which 
have  been  mentioned  are  Christian  duties,  binding  upon  every  member 
of  the  church,  do  they  stand  upon  the  same  plane  of  authority  and  ob- 
ligation as  other  Christian  duties?  Is  it  a duty  in  the  same  sense,  and  to 
the  same  degree  obligatory,  for  a Christian  to  devote  himself  to  doing 
spiritual  good  to  the  church  and  to  the  unconverted,  as  it  is  to  repent  of 
sin,  to  pray,  and  to  lead  a holy  life?  To  this  I answer,  I can  see  no  dif- 
ference. The  scriptures  recognize  no  difference.  All  clearly-defined 
duties  stand  on  the  same  level  as  to  their  binding  authority.  If  it  be  a 
Christian  duty  to  warn,  reprove,  comfort,  edify,  and  encourage  the  body 
of  Christ,  and  to  exhort  the  unconverted  to  turn  to  Christ  for  salvation, 
then  these  are  as  obligatory  as  any  other  duties. 

Is  it  further  inquired,  How  shall  I set  about  this  arduous  work  ? All 
Christians  should  engage  in  this  service,  as  time,  opportunity,  and  their 
means  of  influence  for  good  may  enable  them,  being  guided  by  a wise 
discretion  and  prudence  and  a knowledge  of  their  own  capabilities, 
evincing  just  that  common  sense  and  improving  that  experience  which 
they  bring  so  effectively  to  bear  upon  all  the  practical  affairs  of  life.  If 
there  be  such  a spirit  as  prompted  the  prayer  of  the  text,  “ Lord,  what 
wilt  Thou  have  me  to  do  ? ” there  will  be  little  difficulty  in  finding  the 
path  of  duty.  Such  an  inquiry  will  indicate  that  the  mind  is  ever  open 
to  learn,  from  God’s  word,  and  providence,  and  spirit,  from  the  ministry 
and  other  sources,  what  the  will  of  the  Lord  is.  It  will  indicate  a state 
of  mind  always  inquiring,  and  a state  of  the  conduct  always  doing,  as 
each  advancing  day  and  period  of  life  may  bring  up  the  successive,  con- 
tinuous train  of  its  duties. 

What  multitudes  who  are  now  engaged  in  no  service  for  Christ,  might 
give  instruction  in  Bible-classes  and  in  the  Sabbath-school,  or  seek  out 


20 


INDIVIDUAL  DUTY  RESPECTING 


uncared-for  children  and  youth  and  bring  them  in  that  others  might  in- 
struct them ! Who  cannot  visit  the  lanes  and  alleys,  the  garrets  and 
cellars,  of  our  cities,  with  the  Bible,  the  tract,  the  religious  book,  and 
show  to  the  dwellers  therein  that  they  care  for  their  souls?  Who  can- 
not visit  the  shipyards,  the  wharves,  the  railway  depots,  the  canal  sta- 
tions, the  street  corners,  the  hotels,  the  coffee-houses,  and  other  lounging 
places  of  the  young  and  the  middle-aged,  and  invite  the  stranger  and 
the  outcast  to  the  house  of  God  and  the  place  of  prayer?  What  man 
or  woman  is  there  in  the  church  who  cannot  engage  in  some  part  of 
these  “good  works”  habitually?  All  that  is  required  is  a heart  for  the 
duty.  If  you  truly  love  Christ,  should  you  not  show  your  love  by  this 
service?  It  may  require  self-denial,  but  the  Master  has  said,  “If  any 
man  will  come  after  me,  let  him  deny  himself,  and  take  up  his  cross, 
and  follow  me ; for  whosoever  will  save  his  life  shall  lose  it.”  In  what 
Dr.  Chalmers  calls  “these  days  of  silken  professorship,”  we  need  to  en- 
gage in  these  labors,  lest  we  forget  that  self-denial  is  a term  of  discipleship. 

If  the  main  proposition  of  this  discourse  be  true,  then  this  service  be- 
comes, in  some  sort,  a test  of  Christian  character ; as  truly  so,  as  our 
attention  to  or  neglect  of  prayer,  alms-giving,  Sabbath  worship,  or  any 
other  plain  duty.  And  no  one  can  be  excused  in  reference  to  this,  who 
cannot  plead  exemption  from  every  other  Christian  obligation.  Each 
one  has  some  power  for  good,  at  least  “one  talent”  for  this  service,  and 
he  will  be  held  responsible  for  the  proper  use  of  that.  In  view,  there- 
fore, of  a happy  death-bed,  an  acquittal  at  the  judgment,  and  a welcome 
into  heaven  with  the  souls  they  may  save,  all  Christians  should  heartily 
engage  in  this  service  ! 

But  it  may  be  asked, — If  all  are  thus  to  become  “ laborers  in  the  vine- 
yard,” will  not  this  bring  disorder  into  the  church,  and  will  not  the 
plans  and  efforts  of  so  many  come  into  conflict  ? 

This  leads  me  to  speak, 

III.  Of  the  abuses  against  which  this  service  should  be  guarded. 

The  house  of  God  is  a house  of  order,  and  not  of  confusion.  If  it  be 
the  duty  of  all  to  be  actively  engaged  in  the  service  of  Christ,  as  herein 
pointed  out,  there  is  a way  in  which  this  can  be  done,  without  bringing 
distraction  into  the  church,  or  subverting  any  lawful  authority. 

1.  The  officers  of  the  church  must  be  held  largely  responsible  for  this 
service  of  the  members. 

These  active  duties,  so  far  as  the  members  of  any  particular  church 
are  concerned,  should,  for  the  most  part,  be  directed  by  the  minister  and 


THE  CONVERSION  OF  THE  WORLD. 


21 


elders  thereof.  At  least,  what  is  done  by  the  people  in  any  associated 
capacity,  should  be  under  their  supervision.  Sunday-schools,  Bible- 
classcs,  and  all  other  organizations  of  the  congregation,  having  in  view 
spiritual  and  benevolent  objects  for  its  good,  and  designed  to  reach  the 
multitudes  who  are  without,  should  be  as  much  subject  to  their  control 
as  the  Sabbath  and  week-day  worship.  And  the  officers  ought  not  only 
to  recognize  their  authority  here,  but  to  feel  a responsibility  for  the 
proper  and  efficient  working  of  all  such  agencies.  They  ought,  more- 
over, to  see  that  every  member  of  the  church  is  engaged  in  some  proper 
spiritual  service  for  Christ  and  the  good  of  souls. 

If  they  are  “overseers  of  the  flock,”  made  such  by  the  Holy  Ghost 
and  by  the  authority  of  the  Head  of  the  church,  it  is,  confessedly,  their 
duty  to  watch  over  all  that  relates  to  the  spiritual  interest  and  duties  of 
the  whole  body.  If,  then,  it  be  the  duty  of  every  member  to  labor  in 
the  Lord’s  vineyard,  it  is  the  duty  of  the  rulers  of  Christ’s  kingdom  to 
see  that  these  labors  are  performed,  and  to  direct  the  members  in  regard 
to  them,  as  far  as  this  may  be  necessary;  just  as  clearly  so,  we  think, 
as  to  counsel  and  encourage  them,  rebuke,  warn,  and  exhort  them,  with 
reference  to  any  delinquencies  or  duties  relating  to  their  strictly  personal 
deportment.  This,  indeed,  by  the  most  explicit  testimony,  was  the  prac- 
tice of  the  early  church ; and  hence  the  reason  why  a large  body  of 
elders  was  ordained  in  each  congregation.  And  if  the  whole  body  of 
members,  in  any  church  now,  were  so  distributed  as  to  place  a portion 
under  the  direction  of  each  elder  in  the  discharge  of  these  active  duties, 
the  entire  membership  and  the  entire  eldership  would  be  far  more 
efficient,  under  such  a system,  than  they  now  are  under  almost  no  sys- 
tem whatever. 

There  are  many  members  in  all  our  churches,  now  literally  doing 
nothing — spiritually  dwarfed  through  idleness — who  would  engage  in 
this  service  if  they  knew  what  to  do,  and  how,  when,  and  where  to  do 
it.  This  is  especially  true  of  the  young.  They  need  counsel.  Under 
the  system,  indicated,  they  might  become  efficient  helpers  of  all  that  is 
good.  It  is  equally  true  that  there  are  others  who  need  counsel  to  prevent 
their  doing  injury.  They  are  at  work;  but  often,  from  inexperience, 
or  an  impetuous  zeal,  their  works  tend  to  mar  rather  than  beautify  the 
temple  of  God.  How  plainly  do  these  things  reveal  the  official  respon- 
sibilities of  the  rulers  in  Christ’s  kingdom. 

2.  But  while  this  service  of  the  whole  body  should  be  directed  by 
the  proper  officers,  a large  latitude  should  be  given  to  bring  out  the 
efficiency  of  individual  characteristics. 


22 


INDIVIDUAL  DUTY  RESPECTING 


The  present  tendencies  of  the  church,  as  of  the  age,  are  to  action.  It 
is  an  age  of  earnest  labor,  even  in  the  church.  This  is  hopeful.  It  is  the 
great  need.  And  we  freely  acknowledge  a great  advance  in  this  direc- 
tion, in  the  very  duties  here  urged,  during  the  present  generation.  In 
this  we  rejoice,  and  long  for  still  greater  advancement.  The  day  of 
mere  contemplative  piety,  we  would  hope,  is  gone  forever.  Men  need, 
we  admit,  more  grace,  if  possible,  for  a life  of  earnest,  spiritual  labors, 
than  for  a life  of  meditation  and  spiritual  indolence.  But  let  them  cul- 
tivate piety  in  the  closet,  and  engage  in  active  service,  too.  They  were 
intended  to  go  together,  the  one  as  a preparation  for  the  other. 

These  very  tendencies  of  the  age,  we  concede,  will  lead  to  some  ex- 
travagance. Some  men  are  so  constituted  that  they  are  ever  running  to 
extremes.  When  brought  to  act  in  the  best  cause  they  are  in  danger  of 
ruining  it,  and  surely  would  if  they  had  their  way.  It  is  their  nature 
so  to  do.  But  still,  for  the  sake  of  the  greater  efficiency,  some  latitude 
must  be  given  to  individual  peculiarities.  By  no  means  repress  activity, 
in  any  one.  Rather  encourage  it,  and  seek  to  direct  it.  Even  some  ex- 
travagancies may  be  tolerated  rather  than  have  nothing  done.  It  would 
be  far  better  to  be  obliged  to  “ put  down  the  brakes,”  occasionally,  under 
too  high  a pressure  of  steam,  than  to  be  always  moving  on  at  a snail- 
pace,  or  not  moving  at  all.  Almost  anything  is  better  than  sterility, 
stagnation,  and  death,  with  souls  perishing  at  our  very  doors,  and  no 
effort  made  to  save  them  ! 

If  the  officers  of  the  church  fail  in  their  duty  either  in  regard  to  superin- 
tending or  stimulating  the  members  in  theirs,  let  not  the  members  feel 
excused  on  that  account.  Individual  responsibility  remains  the  same. 
Let  every  soul  “work  while  it  is  day” — alone,  even,  if  need  be — and 
God  will  bless  the  work  and  give  the  reward. 

3.  But,  as  the  grand  necessity  laid  upon  the  church  in  God’s  provi- 
dence, urging  to  this  official  supervision,  and  prompting  the  whole  bod}' 
to  an  active  service,  it  is  manifest,  that  unless  the  church  become  more 
and  more  alive  to  this,  her  most  effective  force  ivill  be  absorbed  in  other  di- 
rections, and  she  will  be  shorn  of  much  of  her  power  in  the  world. 

Look  at  the  course  of  many  in  regard  to  the  so-called  “ reforms  ” of 
the  age.  Some  of  the  foremost  actors  have  left  the  church  to  engage  in 
them,  honestly  aiming  to  do  good  to  their  fellow-men,  and  in  the  best 
way,  according  to  their  judgment,  but  carried,  at  length,  in  many  cases, 
to  every  extreme  of  error  in  sentiment  and  practice.  Why  is  this?  Do 
you  thank  God  for  the  riddance  ? Do  you  rejoice  that  they  have  left 
the  church  ? It  is,  I think,  poor  cause  for  thankfulness,  in  the  main. 


THE  CONVERSION  OF  THE  WORLD. 


23 


With  some  exceptions,  these  men  might  have  been  retained ; and  with 
the  training  which  the  church  might  have  given  them,  in  the  work  she 
has  committed  to  her,  they  would  have  been  among  her  most  effective 
forces.  There  is  a place  in  the  church,  and  a work  for  every  soul, 
and  enough  work  to  absorb  the  time  and  energies  of  all  these  restless 
multitudes. 

There  are  two  classes  of  persons  who  leave  the  church  to  engage  in 
schemes  for  the  supposed  moral  and  spiritual  good  of  mankind.  (1.) 
Those  who  from  certain  idiosyncrasies  could  not  long  remain  in  the 
church  anywhere  or  under  any  system.  They  are  but  fulfilling  their  in- 
evitable destiny  when  they  leave  it,  and  the  church  is  better  off  when 
they  go.  (2.)  There  is  another  class,  mostly  among  the  young  and  ar- 
dent, who  have  a restless  and  laudable  anxiety  to  be  doing  something 
for  humanity,  impelled  by  convictions  of  duty  and  the  best  feelings  of 
the  heart.  They  go  out  of  the  church  because  they  find  nothing  to  do 
in  it;  not  that  they  necessarily  leave  her  communion,  but  they  go  out- 
side of  her  organization  to  do  that  work  which  Christ  has  committed  to 
the  church.  They  have  had  no  training  in  the  church  for  the  Lord’s 
service.  It  is  but  natural,  indeed  a moral  necessity,  that  they  should  go 
elsewhere  to  satisfy  the  demands  of  their  ardent  and  benevolent  natures 
in  this  day  of  action. 

But,  if  the  church  were  fully  doing  her  duty,  there  would  be  no  need 
of  this.  In  the  divine  economy,  the  church  contemplates,  in  her  de- 
sign, organization,  and  true  working,  all  the  good,  moral  and  spiritual, 
which  man  can  receive,  for  the  life  that  now  is  and  the  life  that  is  to 
come.  For  these  ends  she  is  adapted  and  perfect.  In  carrying  out  her 
legitimate  aims,  she  has  scope  for  absorbing  all  the  time,  all  the  energies, 
all  the  sympathies,  and  all  the  money,  which  her  members  can  bestow. 
Any  portion  of  any  of  these  which  is  abstracted  from  her  and  bestowed 
upon  other  organizations  even  of  good  character,  is  so  much  taken  from 
what  ought  to  be  expended  within  and  to  go  forth  from  the  church  her- 
self, for  her  honor,  and  for  the  glory  of  her  divine  Head.  When  doing 
her  whole  duty  and  realizing  her  true  ideal,  she  provides  for  the  good 
of  humanity  in  its  highest  sense,  and  for  the  highest  good  of  man  in 
every  sense  ; and  there  is  no  need  of  any  other  organization  through 
which  her  members  shall  aim  to  bless  and  save  the  world.  There  is, 
therefore,  no  need  that  any  of  her  members  should  go  beyond  her  pale 
to  do  good  to  men,  except  that  which  arises  from  her  own  culpable  fail- 
ure to  meet  her  Lord’s  demands  upon  her. 

This  is  the  divine  economy  regarding  the  church.  If  in  our  hands 


24 


INDIVIDUAL  DUTY  RESPECTING 


she  came  fully  up  to  her  scriptural  model  of  action,  or  anywhere  near  it, 
we  should  not  see  so  much  effective  force  withdrawn  from  her  midst,  ex- 
pending itself  elsewhere,  and  bringing  reproach  upon  the  church  for 
her  inefficiency. 

As  the  best  illustration  of  my  meaning — and  I refer  to  it  only  for  this 
purpose — look  at  the  “ Young  Men’s  Christian  Association,”  an  institu- 
tion which  is  fast  becoming  a power  in  the  land,  whose  rapid  growth, 
whose  wide  extension,  and  some  of  whose  supposed  aims,  have  excited 
the  fears  of  some  good  men,  in  that  it  brings  the  lay  element  in  the 
church  into  too  much  prominence,  to  the  disparagement  of  the  ministry, 
and  in  that  it  tends,  in  some  quarters,  as  they  believe,  to  a position  an- 
tagonistic to  the  church. 

This  institution  originated  in  the  city  of  London,  and  arose  out  of  the 
very  necessity  I have  mentioned — large  masses  of  the  people,  the  most 
ignorant  and  degraded,  not  being  reached  by  the  gospel  through  any 
operations  of  the  church,  the  most  of  whose  members  were  inactive,  and 
the  condition  of  these  masses  strongly  appealing  to  the  benevolent  sym- 
pathies of  those  who  were  willing  to  make  an  effort  to  rescue  them,  by 
any  means  in  their  power.  I would  not  say  a word  against  so  laudable 
an  institution,  now  extending  throughout  our  country  and  embracing 
many  good  objects.  So  for  as  it  may  have  a mission  to  perform  I would 
bid  it  good  speed.  This  may  be  said,  however,  with  certainty.  If  it 
shall  take  a position  openly  antagonistic  to  the  church,  of  which  I have 
no  special  fears,  its  mission  for  good  is  ended.  The  church,  whatever 
may  be  its  defects,  is  of  God.  That  institution,  and  all  similar  voluntary 
organizations,  whatever  may  be  their  excellencies,  are  of  man.  The 
church,  with  her  ordinances,  springing  from  the  divine  wisdom,  will 
stand  through  all  the  generations  of  time,  a refuge  for  all  men.  Other 
schemes  for  man’s  good,  arising  from  supposed  exigencies,  come  up, 
generation  after  generation,  and  again  pass  away. 

But  I refer  to  the  “ Young  Men’s  Christian  Association  ” as  an  exam- 
ple, simply  because  it  has  in  it  a lesson  of  instruction  for  the  church. 
It  is  an  outgrowth  of  the  active  piety  of  the  church,  prompted  by  an 
earnest  desire  to  do  good  to  mankind.  It  takes  this  particular  direc- 
tion, because  the  church  is  practically  deficient  in  employing  these 
activities  within  her  pale,  or  under  her  supervision,  and  because  she 
does  not  herself  organize  and  employ  this  force  for  the  work  lying  out- 
side of  her  present  range  of  operations.  This  Association  embraces 
largely,  in  many  communities,  what  might  be  the  most  effective  force  of 
the  church.  It  embodies  some  of  the  best  elements  in  our  congrega- 
tions. 


THE  CONVERSION  OF  THE  WORLD. 


25 


Now,  why  should  not  all  this  active  zeal  for  good  to  the  world,  in 
every  proper  form,  and  for  every  laudable  end,  be  employed  and  direct- 
ed bv  the  church,  as  the  Divine  Head  thereof  demands  ? It  might  be, 
if  the  church  would  do  her  duty.  And  can  those  who  have  “doubted 
of  them  whereunto  this  would  grow,”  more  effectively  and  speedily  dis- 
pel their  fears,  than  by  aiding  the  church  to  come  up,  with  all  her 
officers  and  all  her  members,  as  the  heart  of  one  man,  “ to  the  help  of 
the  Lord  against  the  mighty,”  thus  exemplifying  the  real  genius  and 
true  spirit  of  our  common  Christianity  ? 

We  may  rest  assured  that  this  must  be  done  by  the  church  at  large, 
or  it  will  be  left  behind,  in  this  day  of  earnest  labor,  by  many  of  the 
worthy  of  her  membership,  and  even  by  men  of  the  world,  in  their 
schemes  to  do  good  to  mankind.  We,  as  a denomination,  our  elders, 
and  our  people,  must  more  fully  awake  to  this,  or  “.Ichabod  ’ will  be 
written  over  the  doorway  of  the  temple  of  the  Lord  ! 

I come  to  notice,  in  conclusion, 

IV.  The  results  likely  to  flow  from  the  full  discharge  of  this  duty 
by  the  church  at  large,  in  their  bearing  upon  the  conversion  of  the 
world. 

As  to  the  “ conversion  of  the  world,"  it  respects  the  conversion  of  men 
at  home  and  abroad — all  classes,  everywhere.  And  nothing,  it  would 

seem,  is  more  directly  calculated  to  lead  to  this,  than  the  arousing  and 
engaging  of  the  whole  church — every  member — in  direct,  personal 
labors  and  prayers  for  this  end,  as  commanded  in  the  gospel.  And  this 
for  every  reason. 

1.  Among  the  most  obvious  of  these  reasons,  is,  that  such  a conse- 
cration would  secure  the  divine  blessing  in  an  extraordinary  manner. 

This  is  always,  and  everywhere,  the  grand  necessity.  Truth  is 
powerless  to  save,  without  the  Spirit  of  God.  All  efforts  are  vain  with- 
out this — all  devotion  worthless.  But  the  realization  of  the  promise  of 
the  Spirit  to  the  church,  depends  upon  the  discharge  of  her  duties  in 
the  proper  and  earnest  use  of  all  the  means  of  grace.  There  shall  be 

seen,  in  the  last  days,  such  mighty  outpourings  of  the  Spirit,  as  shall 
result  in  bringing  men  to  Christ  in  far  greater  numbers  than  have  ever 
been  known.  But  the  promises  for  this  are  closely  connected  with  ex- 
traordinary efforts  to  be  made  by  the  church  for  this  end.  Whenever 
the  church  is  ready  to  make  this  consecration,  God  will  confirm  the 
truth  of  his  word.  And,  in  order  to  stimulate  our  faith,  and  encourage 
our  labors,  has  he  not  been  showing,  in  an  unusual  manner,  within  the 


23 


INDIVIDUAL  DUTY  RESPECTING 


last  two  years,  what  cheering  results  will  always  attend  increased  prayer 
and  effort  ? 

We  may,  therefore,  regard  it  as  a settled  principle  of  the  gospel  econ- 
omy, that  increased  devotion  on  the  part  of  the  church,  in  the  direct 
line  of  God’s  ordinances,  will  always  secure  more  enlarged  blessings  of 
his  grace.  If,  then,  the  duty  of  the  church  at  large,  as  set  forth  in  this 
discourse,  is  truly  enjoined  of  God,  its  full  discharge  by  the  whole  body 
of  the  people  would  insure  the  divine  blessing,  in  measure  and  extent 
in  accordance  with  this  universal  consecration.  It  would  bring  down 
the  Holy  Spirit  in  a Pentecostal  effusion,  to  accompany  these  labors. 
Men  would  be  brought  to  Christ  in  such  multitudes  as  have  never  been 
known  in  the  church  since  the  apostolic  era,  when  such  labors  were 
performed  by  all  the  disciples. 

And  we  may  say,  furthermore,  with  perfect  truth,  that,  if  this  service 
is  among  the  agencies  especially  devised  by  the  Lord  for  bringing  the 
world  to  Christ,  it  is  preposterous  to  expect  that  great  numbers  will  be 
reached  and  saved,  while  this  instrumentality  is  so  extensively  unem- 
ployed. God  will  not  grant  great  blessings  when  so  important  an 
agency  in  his  plan  is  completely  set  aside. 

2.  If  the  church  would  come  fully  up  to  her  duty  in  this  regard,  it 
would  have  the  most  powerful  effect  to  convince  the  unbelieving  vjorld 
that  Christianity  is  of  Ood. 

We  can  see,  in  her  present  position  of  comparative  inaction,  why  it  is 
that  the  church  has  not  greater  power  over  the  masses  of  the  people,  of 
all  ranks  and  beliefs,  as  well  as  of  no  belief.  They  see  absolutely  no 
interest  expressed,  by  the  great  body  who  compose  the  church,  for  their 
welfare.  There  is  little  or  no  sympathy  manifested  between  the  church 
at  large,  so  far  as  the  vast  majority  of  her  membership  is  concerned, 
and  the  various  classes  that  make  up  the  unconverted  world.  Religion  is 
a subject  generally  ignored  in  all  their  business  and  social  relations.  It 
does  not  enter  into  their  conversation,  their  habits,  or  plans  of  life.  Only 
here  and  there  do  the  world  see  the  laborers  at  work  in  the  vine- 
yard. 

The  men  of  the  world  are  shrewd  in  their  perceptions  of  what  belongs 
to  a true  Christian  life.  Professing  Christians  are  “ epistles,”  and  whether 
“ living”  or  “ dead,”  are  “ known  and  read  of  all  men,”  far  more  closely 
than  they  read  their  Bibles.  They  pronounce  much  of  this  profession 
hypocrisy.  It  consoles  them  in  unbelief.  It  leads  to  scepticisn  and  in- 
fidelity. It  is  among  the  strongest  barriers,  with  perishing  millions,  to 
their  acceptance  of  the  gospel.  They  cannot  believe  that  the  church 


THE  CONVERSION  OF  THE  WORLD. 


27 


seriously  thinks  they  are  going  down  to  hell,  and  yet  manifests  so  little 
concern  for  their  salvation  ! 

Now,  we  may  decry  this  conduct  of  the  world  as  we  please.  We  may 
say  this  reasoning  is  illogical,  and  the  conclusion  absurd.  We  may  de- 
clare that,  though  it  be  conceded  that  many  in  the  church  are  hyp- 
ocrites, yet  Christianity  is  true,  and  these  excuses  cannot  save  men. 
We  may  insist,  that,  while  on  the  one  hand  the  duty  of  this  full  con- 
secration, as  here  presented,  is  the  true  theory,  and  exhibits  the  real 
spirit  of  practical  Christianity,  and  should  therefore  be  exemplified  in 
the  conduct  of  every  member  of  the  church,  yet,  on  the  other  hand,  the 
scriptures  evenvhere  just  as  clearly  recognize,  that,  in  fact,  many  in  the 
church  do  not  come  up  to  this  standard — never  have,  and  never  will ; so 
that,  instead  of  this  want  of  zeal  and  interest  in  the  world’s  salvation, 
exhibited  by  many,  being  a reason  for  rejecting  the  gospel  as  a fable,  it 
furnishes  one  of  the  strong  arguments  for  its  truth,  and  shows  the  shal- 
lowness of  a canting  infidelity.  We  may  say  to  the  world — though  the 
whole  church  go  to  hell,  this  will  not  raise  one  soul  to  heaven  ! We 
may  urge  all  these  considerations  with  perfect  truth,  and  still  the  lamen- 
table fact  will  remain  the  same,  that,  while  the  church,  as  a body,  ex- 
hibit so  little  personal  concern  and  put  forth  so  little  personal  labor  to 
save  sinners  around  them,  multitudes  will  make  these  things  a reason 
for  their  unbelief,  and  will  go  down  to  endless  woe  ! 

There  is  nothing  which  can  effectually  break  in  upon  this  state  of  the 
common  mind  but  a revolution  in  the  activity  of  the  church.  But  let 
this  revolution  begin,  and  reach  to  every  member  ; let  it  be  manifested 
by  making  an  active  zeal  the  settled  habit  of  the  life ; let  the  true  spirit 
of  primitive  devotion  be  exhibited,  which  brought  together  the  whole 
church,  morning  and  evening,  for  daily  prayer  and  counsel,  during 
nearly  the  first  two  hundred  years  of  the  Christian  era,  and  which  led 
every  man  and  woman  to  do  something  directly  aimed  to  bring  souls  to 
Christ ; let  this  spirit  be  awakened,  and  such  labors  be  prosecuted  but 
for  one  twelvemonth  throughout  this  broad  land  of  ours,  so  that  the 
world  beholding  this  advance  movement  of  the  church  would  be  afraid 
to  be  left  behind,  and  instead  of  the  few  thousands  now  annually  gath- 
ered into  the  church,  the  entire  population  would  be  moved  to  inquire, 
as  of  old, — “ Men  and  brethren,  what  shall  we  do  ? ” 

3.  Such  a spectacle  as  this  observed  at  home,  would  have  the  most 
powerful  effect  upon  the  heathen  world. 

It  would  give  an  impulse  to  every  department  of  the  missionary  work 
abroad,  which  no  other  agency  of  the  church  could.  The  turning  of  the 


28 


THE  CONVERSION  OF  THE  WORLD. 


multitudes  at  home  to  Christ — which  would  surely  attend  such  a con- 
secration— would  be  followed  by  heathen  nations  being  “ born  in  a day.” 

That  recommendation  which  came  from  a small  band  of  brethren  of 
the  Lodiana  Mission,  for  a world’s  concert  of  prayer  for  one  week,  ob- 
served last  January  so  extensively,  was  the  beginning  of  a work  which 
brought  salvation  to  many  in  our  congregations,  and  spread  wide  the 
wave  of  revival  influences  through  the  land.  When  the  news  of  these 
blessed  results  shall  have  reached  every  mission  station  on  heathen 
ground,  what  cheering  news  may  we  not  expect  to  hear  in  return — in 
the  encouragement  given  to  the  missionaries  in  all  their  labors,  and  in 
its  effect  upon  the  heathen  mind.  Most  clearly , the  state  of  the  missionary 
work  abroad  depends  upon  the  state  of  the  church  at  home.  This  is  uni- 
versally granted.  Can  we,  then,  do  a better  service  for  the  heathen, 
than  by  endeavoring  to  bring  the  entire  church  at  home  up  to  the  true 
standard  of  her  duty  ? 

Let  but  the  spirit  of  prayer  and  labor,  thus  sought  to  be  awakened, 
be  cultivated  by  all  Christians,  and  such  a consecration  be  made  by  the 
whole  church  as  Christ  demands,  and  its  influence  would  be  speedily 
felt  upon  every  country  of  the  heathen  world,  and  the  millennium  would 
be  at  our  very  doors ! 

Brethren  of  the  Ministry  and  of  the  Eldership,  in  this  General  As- 
sembly ! rest  assured  that  this  is  the  great  duty  devolving  upon  us  as 
Teachers  and  Rulers  in  the  house  of  God,  regarding  the  conversion  of 
the  world.  It  is  to  bring  the  whole  people — men,  women  and  children, 
every  one — up  to  the  gospel  standard  of  Christian  activity  and  consecration. 
Our  determination , in  this  regard,  should  be  like  that  of  the  prophet  of 
old:  !‘For  Zion’s  sake  will  I not  hold  my  peace,  and  for  Jerusalem’s 
sake  I will  not  rest,  until  the  righteousness  thereof  go  forth  as  bright- 
ness, and  the  salvation  thereof  as  a lamp  that  burneth  ! ” 


FINIS. 


